Rotating Input Tray for An Automatic Document Feeder Of An Imaging Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A rotating input tray for an automatic document feeder of an imaging apparatus includes a document tray configured to hold the document and to supply the document to the input of the automatic document feeder in a document feed direction, and a pivot device coupling the document tray to the component of the imaging apparatus, the pivot device providing a document tray axis of rotation, wherein the document tray and the pivot device are configured to permit the document tray to rotate about the document tray axis of rotation between a closed position and an open position, the closed position being adjacent to the input for supplying the documents to the automatic document feeder, and the open position being away from and exposing both the input and the exit of the automatic document feeder.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

MICROFICHE APPENDIX

None.

GOVERNMENT RIGHTS IN PATENT

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus, and, moreparticularly, to a rotating input tray for an automatic document feederof an imaging apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

Imaging apparatuses, such as ink jet and laser printers, are employed byboth home and commercial users for various purposes. Some imagingapparatuses, referred to as all-in-one (AIO) units, are capable ofcopying and faxing original documents such as text documents andphotographs using built-in scanners. High end AIO devices typicallyinclude an automatic document feeder (ADF) that is capable of scanning,copying and/or faxing single or multiple documents. The ADF typicallyincludes a paper input, paper pick, paper feed, scan, and paper exit subsystems. The paper input system typically includes a document tray, andthe paper exit area is typically located below the document tray. Forlarger documents, it may be relatively easy for the user to remove theoriginal documents from below the document tray. However, for smalleroriginal documents, such as 4″ by 6″ photos, 3″ by 5″ cards, envelopes,and the like, it may be difficult to remove the original document fromthe exit area of the ADF.

Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a document tray that allowseasy access to the scanned original documents discharged by the ADF intothe exit area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a rotating input tray for an automaticdocument feeder of an imaging apparatus.

The invention, in one form thereof, is directed to a rotating input trayfor an automatic document feeder of an imaging apparatus, the automaticdocument feeder having an input for receiving a document in a documentfeed direction and an exit adjacent the input for discharging thedocument onto a discharge tray, the imaging apparatus having a componentmounting the rotating input tray. The rotating input tray includes adocument tray configured to hold the document and to supply the documentto the input in the document feed direction; and a pivot device couplingthe document tray to the component of the imaging apparatus, the pivotdevice providing a document tray axis of rotation. The document tray andthe pivot device are configured to permit the document tray to rotateabout the document tray axis of rotation between a closed position andan open position, the closed position being adjacent to the input forsupplying the documents to the automatic document feeder, and the openposition being away from and exposing both the input and the exit.

The invention, in another form thereof, is directed to an imagingapparatus, comprising a scanner; an automatic document feeder having aninput for receiving a document in a document feed direction and an exitadjacent the input for discharging the document, the automatic documentfeeder being configured to provide the document to the scanner andremove the document from the scanner; a discharge tray configured toreceive the document discharged from the exit; and a rotating inputtray. The rotating input tray includes a document tray configured tohold the document and to supply the document to the input in thedocument feed direction; and a pivot device coupling the document trayto a component of the imaging apparatus, the pivot device providing adocument tray axis of rotation. The document tray and the pivot deviceare configured to permit the document tray to rotate about the documenttray axis of rotation between a closed position and an open position,the closed position being adjacent to the input for supplying thedocuments to the automatic document feeder, and the open position beingaway from and exposing both the input and the exit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention,and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and theinvention will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1A and 1B diagrammatically depict an imaging apparatus having anautomatic document feeder and a rotating input try in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a scanner lid and an automatic document feeder with arotating input tray having a latch in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention, wherein the rotating input tray is depicted in aclosed position.

FIG. 3 depicts the scanner lid and automatic document feeder withrotating input tray of the embodiment of FIG. 2, wherein the rotatinginput tray is depicted in an open position.

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of a rotating input tray having a torsionalbias spring in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a scanner lid and an automatic document feeder with arotating input tray having a latch in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention, wherein the rotating input tray is depicted in aclosed position.

FIG. 6 depicts the scanner lid and automatic document feeder withrotating input tray of the embodiment of FIG. 5, wherein the rotatinginput tray is depicted in an open position.

FIG. 7 depicts details of the rotating input tray latch embodiment ofFIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 8 depicts a rotating input tray having a detent feature configuredto retain a document tray in an open position and in a closed positionin accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 depicts another detent feature configured to retain a documenttray in an open position and in a closed position in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 depicts yet another detent feature configured to retain adocument tray in an open position and in a closed position in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the several views. The exemplifications set out hereinillustrate embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications arenot to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in anymanner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1A and 1B, thereis shown schematically depicted an imaging apparatus 20 in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. Imaging apparatus 20 is animaging device that produces a printed or scanned output of a patent orlatent image. As used herein, an image is a rendering such as may beobtained via a digital camera or scanner, or which may be created ormanipulated on a computer, and which may be printed or displayed forviewing by the human eye. Imaging apparatus 20 may be, for example, anink jet printer and/or copier, an electrophotographic printer and/orcopier, a fax machine, a dedicated scanner, or an all-in-one (AIO) unitthat includes a printer, a scanner, and possibly a fax unit. In thepresent embodiment, imaging apparatus 20 is an AIO unit including faxcapability.

Imaging apparatus 20 includes a body 22 having a scanner 24, a printengine 26, and a print media system 28 for supplying print media toprint engine 26 and supporting the print media that has been printed.Imaging apparatus 20 also includes a scanner lid 30, an automaticdocument feeder (ADF) 32 mounted on scanner lid 30, a user interface 34having a display 36 and control buttons 38 for controlling and operatingimaging apparatus 20, and a fax unit 40.

Scanner 24 may be, for example, a bed type scanner with a movable scanbar, or a stationary scan bar, wherein a document is scanned by movingthe document past the activated scan bar, or a combination of both. Inthe present embodiment, scanner 24 is a bed type scanner, and includes ascanner platen 42 and a moveable scan bar 44 that may be transported ina reciprocation manner along scanner platen 42 by a scan bar transportmechanism (not shown). Scan bar 44 is arranged perpendicular to the viewdepicted in FIG. 1A.

Scanner lid 30 is pivotably attached to body 22 about a scanner lid axisof rotation 46 by a hinge 48, and scanner lid 30 is configured to rotateabout scanner lid axis of rotation 46. That is, scanner lid 30 may berotated away from scanner 24, thereby exposing scanner platen 42.Scanner lid axis of rotation 46 is perpendicular to the view depicted inFIG. 1B.

In order to operate scanner 24 in one mode of operation, scanner lid 30may be rotated away from scanner platen 42, and a document may be placedon scanner platen 42, which remains stationary while being scanned bythe moving scan bar.

In another mode of operation of scanner 24, a document, such as document50, may be supplied to scanner 24 by ADF 32, wherein the scan barremains stationary, and wherein document 50 is transported along aportion of scanner platen 42 by ADF 32 for scanning by the stationaryscan bar.

The scanned document 50 may be faxed using fax unit 40, or may beprinted using print engine 26.

ADF 32 includes a rotating input tray 52, an input 54 for receivingdocument 50 in a document feed direction 56, a feed unit 58 for feedingdocument 50 through ADF 32 and transporting document 50 past scan bar44, and an exit 60 adjacent input 54 for discharging document 50 into adischarge tray 62 located below rotating input tray 52. In the presentembodiment, discharge tray 62 is an upper surface of scanner lid 30.

During operation, one or more documents 50 are placed in rotating inputtray 52 and inserted into input 54. Once a desired function of imagingapparatus 20 is selected and initiated, i.e., either scanning, copying,and/or faxing, feed unit 58 retrieves the topmost sheet, transports itthrough ADF 32, where it is scanned by scan bar 44, and discharges fromexit 60 into discharge tray 62.

The scanned document 50 may then be retrieved by the user from dischargetray 62.

However, in the case where document 50 is a small document, such as a 4″by 6″ photo, a 3″ by 5″ card, or an envelope, it may be difficult forthe user to reach in and remove the scanned document 50 from dischargetray 62.

In order to improve the usability of imaging apparatus 20, rotatinginput tray 52 is configured to swing away from discharge tray 62,thereby permitting easy access to discharge tray 62. In particular,rotating input tray 52 is configured to swing away from discharge tray62 in a manner that exposes both input 54 and exit 60 of ADF 32 at thesame time, which thereby allows a user to employ ADF 32 directly torepeatedly feed a small document and immediately retrieve it from exit60, without the interim step of moving rotating input tray out of theway after each time the document is fed to ADF 32.

Although it may be possible to employ a detachable input tray, such anapproach may not be desirable, since it may require a storage area forthe detachable input tray, and since the detachable input tray may bereadily misplaced or damaged when not attached. Also, the exit jamclearance may be reduced, relative to the rotating input tray of thepresent invention.

In addition, it may be possible to employ an input tray that pivotsupward to expose exit 60 of ADF 32, unless properly configured, such aninput tray may block input 54 of ADF 32, thereby requiring that theinput tray be moved each time a document is fed into ADF 32 so as toallow the scanned document to be retrieved.

Accordingly, rotating input tray 52 includes a document tray 64configured to hold one or more document 50 and to supply document 50 toinput 54 in document feed direction 56, and a pivot device 66 couplingdocument tray 64 to a component of imaging apparatus 20, which in thepresent embodiment is scanner lid 30, pivot device 66 providing adocument tray axis of rotation 68.

Document tray 64 and pivot device 66 are configured to permit documenttray 64 to rotate about document tray axis of rotation 68 between aclosed position and an open position. The closed position is adjacent toinput 54 for supplying documents 50 to ADF 32, and the open position isaway from and exposing both input 54 and exit 60.

Thus, when in the closed position, documents 50 may be loaded ontodocument tray 64 to be fed to scanner 24 by ADF 32, whereas in the openposition, even small documents may be easily retrieved from dischargetray 62. Also, when in the open position, a document may be placeddirectly into input 54 and retrieved from discharge tray 62 withoutmoving document tray 64 from the open position. In the presentembodiment, document tray axis of rotation 68 is substantially parallelto document feed direction 56. That is, document tray axis of rotation68 is aligned generally in direction the paper is fed into ADF 32,notwithstanding that the document feed direction 56 may be at some smalldownward angle, e.g., relative to horizontal. It is alternativelyconsidered that in other embodiments, document tray axis of rotation 68may be exactly parallel to document feed direction 56, or may be anydesired angle relative to document feed direction 56, including an axisof rotation that is perpendicular to document feed direction 56. In anyevent, document tray axis of rotation 68 in accordance with the presentinvention permits document tray 64 to rotate away from and expose boththe input 54 and exit 60 of ADF 32.

In order to ensure that document 50 is positioned properly, documenttray 64 includes two document edge guides 70 configured to centerdocument relative to ADF 32. In the present embodiment, document edgeguides 70 are geared together via a rack and pinion system 72 thatretains each document edge guide 70 equidistant from the center of ADF32 (see FIG. 3).

The present embodiment includes a latch 74 configured to secure documenttray 64 in the closed position, e.g., so that when scanner lid 30 isopened to expose scanner platen 42, document tray 64 does notaccidentally move to the open position.

Referring now to FIG. 2, document tray 64 is depicted in the closedposition. In the present embodiment, latch 74 is molded as part ofdocument tray 64, and engages a catch 76, in the form of a slot moldedinto scanner lid 30 adjacent to discharge tray 62, to secure documenttray 64. In order to operate latch 74, the user simply pushes the moldedlatch 74 inward toward document tray 64, wherein the deflection of latch74 provides clearance for latch 74 to clear catch 76 and thereby allowdocument tray 64 to move to the open position.

Referring now to FIG. 3, document tray 64 is depicted in the openposition, wherein both exit 60 and input 54 of ADF 32 are exposed. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 3, pivot device 66 is in the form of two pivotarms that extend from document tray 64 below the surface of scanner lid30 to two corresponding bosses molded into scanner lid 30, against whichthe pivot arms may pivot.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an embodiment of the present invention includesa bias spring 78. One end of bias spring 78 is connected to documenttray 64, and the other end is connected to scanner lid 30. Bias spring78 is configured to bias document tray 64 to the open position, i.e., sothat once the latch is released, document tray 64 moves from the closedposition to the open position under the action of bias spring 78. In thepresent embodiment, bias spring 78 takes the form of a torsional spring,although it will be understood that other spring systems may be employedwithout departing from the scope of the present invention, e.g., acompression spring.

Referring now to FIG. 5, another embodiment of document tray 64 isillustrated in the closed position, wherein latch 74 takes the form of abutton operated latch.

Referring now to FIG. 6, the embodiment of FIG. 5 is depicted withdocument tray 64 in the open position, and depicts wherein catch 76takes the form of a slot in the surface of scanner lid 30.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the button operated latch 74 of the embodimentof FIGS. 4 and 5 is depicted in greater detail. In the embodiment ofFIG. 7, latch 74 includes a latch spring 80 configured to spring loadlatch 74 into the latched position. In order to open document tray 64,the user would push latch 74 against the action of latch spring 80,wherein the deflection of latch spring 80 allows latch 74 to move and toclear catch 76, thereby allowing document tray 64 to move to the openposition.

Referring now to FIG. 8, in another embodiment, rather than employing alatch to secure document tray 64 in the closed position and a spring tobias document tray 64 to the open position, rotating input tray 52includes a detent feature 82 configured to retain document tray 64 inthe closed position, and configured to retain document tray 64 in theopen position. With this embodiment, the user does not need to actuate alatch in order to open the document tray, but rather, merely needs tomove document tray 64 to the desired position, where document tray 64will be retained by detent feature 82 until the user desires to move itagain.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8, detent feature 82 is in the form of aspring loaded cam and follower arrangement 84 having a cam 86 molded aspart of scanner lid 30 and a follower 88 molded as part of document tray64. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the spring force is provided by theelasticity of material from which cam 86 and follower 88 are molded. Cam86 includes a contoured surface 90 that interacts with follower 88 tothereby determine the positions in which document tray 64 is retained,including the open and closed positions.

Referring now to FIG. 9, another embodiment of detent feature 82 in theform of a spring loaded cam and follower arrangement 92 is depicted.Spring loaded cam and follower arrangement 92 includes a spring 94located in scanner lid 30, a cam 96 molded as part of document tray 64,and a follower 98 located in scanner lid 30. Cam 96 includes a camsurface portion 100 and a cam surface portion 102 that interacts withspring loaded follower 98 to thereby determine the positions in whichdocument tray 64 is retained. Spring 94 acts against cam 96 and follower98 to retain document tray 64 in the open position, e.g., once opened bythe user, and to retain document tray 64 in the in closed position,e.g., once closed by the user. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, depicted inthe open position, cam surface portion 100 is engaged by follower 98 toretain document tray 64 in the open position. When the user closesdocument tray 64, cam surface portion 102 is rotated into contact withfollower 98, whereby document tray 64 is retained in the closed positionby the action of spring 94 pushing follower 98 against cam surfaceportion 102.

Referring now to FIG. 10, yet another embodiment of detent feature 82 inthe form of a spring loaded cam and follower arrangement 104 isdepicted. Spring loaded cam and follower arrangement 104 includes aspring follower 106 attached to scanner lid 30, and a cam 108 molded aspart of document tray 64. Cam 108 includes a cam surface portion 110 anda cam surface portion 112 that interacts with spring follower 106 tothereby determine the positions in which document tray 64 is retained.In the embodiment of FIG. 10, depicted in the open position, cam surfaceportion 110 is engaged by spring follower 106 to retain document tray 64in the open position. When the user closes document tray 64, cam surfaceportion 112 is rotated into contact with spring follower 106, wherebydocument tray 64 is retained in the closed position by the action ofspring follower 106 pressing against cam surface portion 112.

While this invention has been described with respect to embodiments ofthe invention, the present invention may be further modified within thespirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is thereforeintended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the inventionusing its general principles. Further, this application is intended tocover such departures from the present disclosure as come within knownor customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains andwhich fall within the limits of the appended claims.

1. A rotating input tray for an automatic document feeder of an imagingapparatus, said automatic document feeder having an input for receivinga document in a document feed direction and an exit adjacent said inputfor discharging said document onto a discharge tray, said imagingapparatus having a component mounting said rotating input tray,comprising: a document tray configured to hold said document and tosupply said document to said input in said document feed direction; anda pivot device coupling said document tray to said component of saidimaging apparatus, said pivot device providing a document tray axis ofrotation, wherein said document tray and said pivot device areconfigured to permit said document tray to rotate about said documenttray axis of rotation between a closed position and an open position,said closed position being adjacent to said input for supplying saiddocuments to said automatic document feeder, and said open positionbeing away from and exposing both said input and said exit.
 2. Therotating input tray of claim 1, wherein said document tray axis ofrotation is substantially parallel to said document feed direction. 3.The rotating input tray of claim 1, further comprising a latchconfigured to secure said document tray in said closed position.
 4. Therotating input tray of claim 3, further comprising a latch springconfigured to spring load said latch.
 5. The rotating input tray ofclaim 3, further comprising a bias spring configured to bias saiddocument tray to said open position.
 6. The rotating input tray of claim1, said imaging apparatus having a body, wherein said component of saidimaging apparatus is a scanner lid pivotably attached to said body abouta scanner lid axis of rotation, said scanner lid being configured torotate about said scanner lid axis of rotation.
 7. The rotating inputtray of claim 1, said document tray including a document edge guideconfigured to center said document relative to said automatic documentfeeder.
 8. The rotating input tray of claim 1, further comprising adetent feature configured to retain said document tray in said closedposition.
 9. The rotating input tray of claim 8, said detent featurebeing further configured to retain said document tray in said openposition.
 10. The rotating input tray of claim 9, said detent featureincluding a spring-loaded cam and follower arrangement having a spring,a cam, and a follower, said spring acting against said cam and saidfollower to retain said document tray in said open position and in saidclosed position.
 11. An imaging apparatus, comprising: a scanner; anautomatic document feeder having an input for receiving a document in adocument feed direction and an exit adjacent said input for dischargingsaid document, said automatic document feeder being configured toprovide said document to said scanner and remove said document from saidscanner; a discharge tray configured to receive said document dischargedfrom said exit; and a rotating input tray, said rotating input trayincluding: a document tray configured to hold said document and tosupply said document to said input in said document feed direction; anda pivot device coupling said document tray to a component of saidimaging apparatus, said pivot device providing a document tray axis ofrotation, wherein said document tray and said pivot device areconfigured to permit said document tray to rotate about said documenttray axis of rotation between a closed position and an open position,said closed position being adjacent to said input for supplying saiddocuments to said automatic document feeder, and said open positionbeing away from and exposing both said input and said exit.
 12. Theimaging apparatus of claim 11, wherein said document tray axis ofrotation is substantially parallel to said document feed direction. 13.The imaging apparatus of claim 11, said rotating input tray furtherincluding a latch configured to secure said document tray in said closedposition.
 14. The imaging apparatus of claim 13, said rotating inputtray further including a latch spring configured to spring load saidlatch.
 15. The imaging apparatus of claim 13, said rotating input trayfurther including a bias spring configured to bias said document tray tosaid open position.
 16. The imaging apparatus of claim 11, furthercomprising a body, wherein said component of said imaging apparatus is ascanner lid pivotably attached to said body about a scanner lid axis ofrotation, said scanner lid being configured to rotate about said scannerlid axis of rotation.
 17. The imaging apparatus of claim 11, saiddocument tray including a document edge guide configured to center saiddocument relative to said automatic document feeder.
 18. The imagingapparatus of claim 11, said rotating input tray further including adetent feature configured to retain said document tray in said closedposition.
 19. The imaging apparatus of claim 18, said detent featurebeing further configured to retain said document tray in said openposition.
 20. The imaging apparatus of claim 19, said detent featureincluding a spring-loaded cam and follower arrangement having a spring,a cam, and a follower, said spring acting against said cam and saidfollower to retain said document tray in said open position and in saidclosed position.